I think it is indicating that the flood light under the side view mirror is on. You can control this setting in the MFI I think. Not really sure why it warns that the side light is on unless it can drain the battery quickly.

 

Check your turn signal stalk. Leaving it in either the left (down) or right (up) position after the ignition is off turns on the respective side parking lights. These side parking lights are commonly used in Europe when parking along narrow streets or alleys. Normally the parking light switch is part of the rotary headlight switch. The touareg is the first vehicle I've seen with this kind of switch.

 

Its not my turn signal stalk. It probably is related to the flood light on the mirror but I can't find the setting in the MFI. Anyone know how?

 

When I got the warning in my MFI I could not figure out what the warning was for. I then saw a faint light on in the door jam. I opened the drivers door and slammed it shut. No more warning. I then opened the door and reclosed it slowly. MFI warning "side light on" was illuminated. Slammed shut again warning off. Check to make sure your door is closed tight. If
warning is on see if you can see the light on in your door jam. Do this at night. However when this warning light was on, no door ajar warning.

 

Hmmmm.... I'm wondering if there is some sort of "running product" change on the TOUAREG with this issue.

What is your VIN series?

 

If you have your headlights on in the auto position or just in the on position the "side light swiched on" warning comes on wether the car is on or off. Switch on left of steering wheel in dash.

 

TREGinginCO - my vin is 53,XXX

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Quan515 is correct. When my lights are in the auto position (I assume switch at 12:00 is auto) the "Side Light" message appears when I open the driver side door. However, when I put the light swich in the daytime running light position (the oval at 11:00) the "side light" message does not appear.

Where do most people leave their lights? I'd assume in the auto position so that the light sensor will activate the headlights when it gets dark.

I still don't understand why I get this warning. Yes, the side light is on becuase I've opened the door. Why do I have to be warned about this? I'm going to close the door and the light is going to go out.

 

sjwass,
The warning is to tell you that the parking lights are left on. If you leave your light in the ON position, the warning will stay longer. But the warning goes away in AUTO position because the AUTO figures out that you don't want your lights on.